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Dispatched to attend the election of the new leader of a recent Federation member on a planet with three genders, the Enterprise crew are embroiled in political intrigue, due to the ruler having only one regular partner when the norm on the planet is two; a moralist faction are determined that she should not be elected. Although the Enterprise security team prove more than capable of dealing with any problems, the leader of the faction eventually releases a telepathic weapon known as the Chova, which forces its victims to experience dreams and hallucinations of their greatest fears and failures.

Learning that the Chova can be defeated by those with Multiple Personality Disorder – such people literally overwhelming the Chova as it can only attack one mind at a time – Picard is infected with the Chova, his mind meld with Sarek, his possession of Kamin's memories, and his assimilation by the Borg into Locutus giving him the makings of an MPD. Although Locutus attempts to take over, Picard is able to force Locutus back down into his mind.